Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

Outside the cave is a bathing pool with fountains, where locals come to wash with holy water before religious rituals and ceremonies. Just passed the pool is another steep staircase that leads to fallen moss-covered stone statues and rock boulders, lush greenery, and a waterfall teeming into a sacred river. Movie buffs would could easily think they've stepped into a scene from Indiana Jones. 

Don’t let the name “Elephant Cave” deceive you, there are no elephants here. The cave was named after the nearby Elephant River (Sungai Petanu). 

Look Around

Initial view of courtyard from descending stairs

Rock wall carvings depicting Hindu angels within a sacred bathing pool

Small shrine near the main cave

Sacred tree

Around the courtyard

Iconic carved entrance to cave

Stone statue inside the cave

Soot-lined interior of cave from candles burning

Inside the cave

Descending another staircase to the lower ravine

Hindu priest sitting beneath a sacred tree

Looking upwards

Ruins from former temple destroyed by an earthquake

Indiana Jones-style ruins can be circled on foot

Slippery mud and shallow creek surrounds the ruins

Around the lower temple area

More moss-lined ruins

Small waterfall on left is source of water around ruins

Elevated roots of sacred tree

Around the ravine

Who Will Like Goa Gajah

Culture Buff

Witness the Balinese relationship with nature and spirituality while walking among moss-covered sculptures and through a sacred meditation cave.

Nature Lover

Walk through the lush jungle below soaring, moss-covered trees and hear the peaceful trickle of water fountains. 

Insider Tips For Goa Gajah

• Dress respectfully with covered shoulders and knees. Don’t be tricked into buying a sarong from pushy market vendors as sarong hire is included in the entrance fee.
• Minimal signage and information is available within the cave and grounds. If you want to learn about the religious traditions taking place, go with a tour guide. Tour guides usually wait around the car park, don't be afraid to barter a reasonable price.
• Self-appointed guides wait near the cave and try to lead you around the site. They expect  a generous tip for their effors so don't follow them or ask them questions if you don't want to pay.

Video

How To Get There

Tech & Photography

Food & Drink

Larger restaurants and cafes selling traditional Balinese food are located on the main street outside the complex. Several street vendors selling snacks and cold drinks in the carpark and along the path to the cave. One very shrewd drink vendor is located at the top of the stairs to the lower temple area.

Backstory

The cave’s history dates back to the 11th century when it was used as a sacred place of meditation. It was rediscovered by Dutch archaeologists in 1923 with findings like wall carvings shedding light into the peaceful cohabitation between Hindu and Buddhist worshippers. The fountains and pool were only found in 1954.

Several stone relics have since been laid out in the courtyard.

Etiquette

Scorecard

What's Nearby In Ubud

More...

3.19 kms (1.99 miles)

Wildlife Park$$$$$The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Alongside Ubud's urban center is a section of pure jungle, home to over 1,000 Balinese monkeys. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is located on spiritually-significant ground, constructed around 3 Hindu temples dating back to the 14th century. While tourists delight in watching the furry critters frolic and get into all sorts of mischief, measures are in place to protect visitors and also preserve the monkeys’ natural way of life.

Go

More...

3.27 kms (2.05 miles)

PalaceFreeUbud Palace

The definitive example of traditional Balinese culture and art located within the heart of Ubud. The palace is the traditional home of the Sukawati royal family who still reside in the rear of the compound today. The front of the compound is open for visitors to wander and marvel at the Hindu-inspired architecture, sculptures and landscaped tropical gardens.

Go

More...

3.28 kms (2.05 miles)

MarketFreeUbud Art Market

Artisan markets selling locally-made products. Items include clothing, jewelry, homewares, and souvenirs. Venders never offer their best price first, expect to have barter for a bargain.

Go

More...

4.20 kms (2.62 miles)

TrailFreeCampuhan Ridge Walk

Ubud's jungle-like greenery, deep valleys, trickling rivers, and wooden chalets are best admired from Campuhan Ridge Walk, a 1.7-kilometer-long (1-mile) trail. The walk is inclusive for all fitness levels, with the most difficult section being the steep southern steps up the Wos river valley to the start of the ridge. The trail winds above two jungle-filled valleys as the East and West Wos rivers rush towards their confluence with the Cerik River, below the beginning of the trail.

Go

More...

848 meters (928 yards)

Dinner above the water$$$$$Bale Udang Mang Engking

Taste, hear, and feel Bali when you dine at Bale Udang. A series of private bamboo huts, called bales, surround a central koi pond. Diners are led to a private bale where their feet dangle centimetres above the water at a bottomless table. Staff let diners enjoy their privacy, leaving a wooden bell to ring for attention or when you’re ready to place your order. A large portion of menu items contain seafood, but some meat and vegetarian options are also available.

Go

More...

2.66 kms (1.66 miles)

Local Organic Mexican$$$$$Taco Casa

Fresh Balinese produce blends perfectly with traditional Mexican flavors at Ubud's Taco Casa. Unlike many Mexican restaurant chains, Taco Casa's tortillas, taco shells, corn chips, guacamole, hot sauce, salsas and salad dressings are freshly made in-house with no MSG, preservatives, or other nasties.

Go

More...

2.72 kms (1.70 miles)

Balinese Style, Fusion Cuisine$$$$$Monkey Legend

A short walk from Ubud’s famous Monkey Forest Sanctuary is this jungle-themed restaurant serving Asian-Fusion cuisine. Indonesian and Balinese classics, like gado gado, nasi campur, and nasi goreng feature on the menu alongside Western favorites like pasta, and burgers. There’s plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians too, all listed on a ‘vegan’ page in the menu.

Go

More...

2.75 kms (1.72 miles)

Healthy living focus$$$$$Bali Buda Cafe

One of Bali’s first health-focused restaurants, Bali Buda uses hand-made ingredients and all-natural processes to create the highest possible quality of food, in terms of nutrition and taste. The diverse food menu caters to most dietary requirements including vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan. Meals can be enjoyed in the restaurant’s cozy dining area, or delivered to your accommodation via the Gojek app.

Go